By Kiptanui Rutto.
President Uhuru Kenyatta will officiate this year’s Ushirika Day celebrations at Jamhuri Park on 1st July, the Principal Secretary, State Department of Cooperatives, Ministry of Industry, Trade and Cooperative, Ali Noor Ismail has confirmed.
In a speech read on his behalf by the Commissioner for Cooperatives, Mary Mungai during the Ushirika Day Leaders’ Forum held at All Saints Cathedral, Nairobi, the PS said he is pleased by the preparations for the event. The theme of this year’s Ushirika Day is: ‘Inclusion: Co-operatives ensures no one is left behind.’ “The National Government is determined to support the sector for the positive growth. Kenya Co-operative movement is currently ranked 1st in Africa and 7th internationally.
In July 2013 World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU) recognized Kenya SACCOs as the fastest growing sub-sector in the world,” Principal Secretary Ali Ismail said.
“Kenya is doing well in the movement; we have registered nearly 22,000 Cooperatives with over 14 million members. This controls an asset base of over KSh.8 billion which has enhanced financial deepening,” he added.
The PS said Kenya Co-operative movement is currently ranked 1st in Africa and 7th internationally. National Council for Ushirika Day Celebrations Chairman, Japheth Magomere said they have received funds from the Saccos and more have pledged to channel their funds to make the day successful.
The event was graced by Nairobi City Council Governor, Dr Evans Kidero, Co-operatives Alliance of Kenya CEO, Daniel Marube, Nairobi CEC for Commerce, Tourism and Co-operatives, Anna Othoro, and Nairobi County Co-operatives Officer, Dolphine Aremo among others.
